Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed recurrent or progressive Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia that is unlikely to respond to existing therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy Evidence of tumor by MRI, CT scan, chest x-ray, or radionuclide scan Must have received and failed at least one standard first-line therapy (e.g., corticosteroid/alkylator combination) Biochemical evidence of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia Abnormal proteins in serum and urine PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 2 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 2000/mm3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3 Hepatic: No hepatic insufficiency Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal Renal: No renal insufficiency Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled hypertension No history of congestive heart failure No history of other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Pulmonary: No serious lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study No active infection No non-malignant systemic disease Not a high medical or psychiatric risk PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy No concurrent immunomodulating agent Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks (6 weeks since nitrosoureas) since prior chemotherapy No concurrent antineoplastic agents Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics Concurrent corticosteroids allowed Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Recovered from prior surgery Other: No prior antineoplastons Prior cytodifferentiating agents allowed